The Last Turkey Talk...

So a final turkey talk post seems like a must before December comes storming in tomorrow...

We had a wonderful and very blessed holiday.  Hosting Thanksgiving for the first time in a long time was a family event...we all loved it.  In a few short months Rich and I will be "empty nesters."  And while we have worked to give our girls wings...we know that in this uncertain world we live in, they want to have their family home and traditions to come back to.

So here are a few pictures from our day...

We started the day with french toast made by Rich and then watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The girls peeled potatoes

and ironed napkins

while I tended to the turkey

Family started arriving...Mary Jo got right to work in the kitchen while Sue delivered coffee in her festive fall apron

I prefer not to be present for this part...I like the turkey much better during its presentation stage!

After a rousing game of croquet (is that possible?) and more pictures we gathered and gave thanks...meanwhile the rolls were burning in the oven : )

This picture of my cousins reminds me of my aunt and uncle...ok..also my grandmother...anyone agree?

Claire throws me over to go to Sue for some dancing...but only after some begging on Sue's part ;)

We ate too much, laughed, sang , danced, and made memories! 

It was a grand day!

Random Thoughts...

Did I actually see an ad for a Black Friday sale beginning on Tuesday??

Those of you who read my blog and have many years of motherhood under your belt, do you remember when your children were little and
you would be soaking in a tub of  "Calgon" scented bubbles and they would show up...needing...something, or nothing?  Well last night at 11:30 I was soaking in the tub and in comes Katelyn (whom I had just had a conversation with in the sun room).  As we were chatting Chelsea poked her head in the doorway and came in to join the chat.  Then Gabby (the yorkie) showed up.  Actually, I think Rich sent her in to inquire as to why the three of us were having a gab-fest on the other side of the wall from where he was sleeping ; )  As the three of them tiptoed out the door and went up to bed I couldn't help but think...Thank you Lord that some things never change!!

We put up the tree last night...it is in place and "fluffed" and most of the lights work!  So here is my question...how many years does a pre-lit tree with 2000 white lights last?  We are on year 6.  I live in fear that I will plug it in and ...nothing!!

Why did we put up the tree last night?  Well my girls still like to decorate the tree as a family. We have done it during Thanksgiving weekend since Nicole and David got married.  Usually we tear up the house and drag the tree in on Friday morning (hence the name Black Friday...and you thought it had something to do with shopping).  With a new baby in the house it seemed like a good idea to get the tree up and then we can just have fun decorating.

Another random thought...a baby just changes everything...for the better!!

How many grocery store trips does it take to pull off Thanksgiving?  Today makes number three. 

I ordered a fresh turkey and it arrived this morning... 

Belle immediately woke up from her nap on the chair in the dining room window to come check this out!

You might notice Chelsea in the background she had just finished a paper... due date tomorrow!!

Turkey Talk #7

This turkey talk post is in honor of my dear grandma...She was a fabulous cook...the kind that could make something out of nothing and it would taste...well...fabulous.  After she passed away back in January of 2001 I took all of her beautifully hand-written recipes and have continued cooking some of her great dishes. A couple of years ago my girls bought a beautiful recipe book and organized the recipes...a very sweet gift!  

This Pineapple Cheese Salad recipe is from the old school of thought that you had to have some sort of a jello mold or it wasn't a fancy dinner!! I have to admit that it isn't for everyone but it is fabulous.  One note...I never make the dressing to go with it...that would just put it over the top for my family ; )

I don't always make this salad but wanted to this year. In a way my grandma will be a part of the first Thanksgiving with our new little grand baby Claire.  As far as grandmothers go...hers are some big shoes to fill!

Turkey Talk #6

This is technically after-turkey talk...but oh well! I have to be thinking about those big weekend football games this coming Friday and Saturday don't you know! 

Southern Living has a great Easy Entertaining...fall edition magazine that has wonderful recipes.  As you can see I have flagged lots  that I have tried or will be making this week...

So in and amongst all the great recipes was one that I knew I had to try...

Yep...Chili-Lime Pecans.  I made them last night and they are fabulous and kind of remind me of the ones served at The Hotel at Auburn University!  So if they last until Friday they will be part of our Iron Bowl afternoon for the Auburn/Alabama game...WAR EAGLE!

Here is the recipe...straight from the magazine.

makes 3 cups  hands-on time: 10 minutes

2 Tbsp. lime juice

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground red pepper

3 cups pecans

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir together first 6 ingredients. 

Add pecans; toss to coat.  Spread

mixture onto a lightly greased

aluminum foil-lined jelly-roll pan.

2. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until

pecans are toasted and dry, stirring

occasionally.  Cool completely (about 30 minutes).

Back to turkey talk next post : )

Turkey Talk #5

Since I was a little girl I have loved watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Someday I will convince my unsuspecting husband to go to New York in late November..just in time for the parade.  For now I just enjoy it on TV...especially the marching bands, the Rockettes, the balloons, and the arrival of Santa Claus!  Last year I found this wonderful pop-up book dedicated to my favorite parade!

There is nothing like a beautiful book...no matter what your age : )

Thanks for stopping by!

The Windy City...

My dear friend of 20 years now...Pam Delaney...treated me to a trip to Chicago this past week.  For all of the millions of conversations we have had and craft projects we have done and family dinners we have shared...we have never done this kind of girls' getaway.

It was my first trip on Southwest Airlines and (and this is really big for those of you who know me) for the first time ever I did NOT check a bag!!! I was a little nervous because 1) I like options...and matching shoes and 2) I was traveling with this supposed expert carry-on queen! Was I up to the challenge?  I did the black dress pants that never wrinkle on Tuesday and again Thursday and the gray sweater dress on Wednesday...add black boots, a quart size bag of travel size products, a camera, and a winter coat...Voila!  Piece of cake.  Let's just put it this way, when Pam and Dennis showed up Tuesday morning to pick me up Dennis said "Is this it?"  I think there is a new carry-on queen in town ; )

We left Panama City at 9:00 am stopped in Nashville (but never left the plane) and by 1:00 we were exiting the taxi at the Intercontinental Hotel on Michigan Avenue!

After checking in and freshening up we went to the Drake Hotel and had tea at the lovely Palm Court

Tea sandwiches, scones, desserts, and beautiful music...magic!

We decided to walk back to the hotel...because it was Michigan Avenue and there were dozens of stores that we might need to check out!!

It was dark long before we got back to our hotel!

Wednesday was full of shopping, eating, a walk to the Oriental Theater to see the play Billy Elliott, dinner at the Oak Room, and one last look at the city at night!

Yes...there was a wish fairy flitting about the restaurant...and Pam just had to get it on film!

On Thursday we were up and at the airport by 4:45 AM...driving through Starbucks in Panama City at 9:15 am!  The carry-on was a bit heavier and I did buy a great Marc Jacobs tote bag in Nordstroms which was necessary for the pair of shoes I bought : )...and the book...and the birthday gift for Chelsea...

Great trip over and it's back to reality...

 

Auburn/Georgia Game

On Saturday morning we all headed to Auburn for the last home game of the season. By all...Nicole, David, and Claire drove down from Birmingham. Katelyn and Emily drove in from Nashville.  Rich and I drove in with all the Georgia fans from Opelika!  We managed to meet and all pile into our car and headed over to the campus where Chelsea had reserved us a parking space right by her dorm in the Village!

 

Of course she wasn't in her dorm...but rather on the other side of the stadium (and Tiger Walk) tailgating with friends.  Eventually we found her...and the Gortemollers and enjoyed some tailgating before going to the stadium.

At the stadium we found our seats and got settled in just in time for all the crazy fun to start...Claire's first college football game and she did great!...Of course I did cover her ears during most of the last quarter...the noise level was amazing!!

Recent controversies and a tense first half aside...a Saturday afternoon at Jordan Hare Stadium is a place of magic...it's true :) 

(and ya'll know I have been an FSU seminole since the day I graduated...)!